*Abubakar Recuperating
FORMER President, Muhammadu Buhari, has died in a clinic in London, United Kingdom (UK) at the age of 82.
His spokesman, Garba Shehu, who announced this on Sunday, July 13, in a post on X, wrote: “The family of the former President has announced the passing on of the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London.
“May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.”
The former military ruler and civilian President had been sick for weeks and was receiving treatment at the London hospital until his death.
Buhari was military head of state between 1983 and 1985 and civilian President from 2015 to 2023.
Further details regarding burial arrangements are expected to be released by the family in accordance with Islamic rites.
Buhari was reportedly placed in intensive care in the early days of his admission, but was said to have been out of the critical condition and recuperating well until news of his demise.
Vice President, Kashim Shettima, flew to London last Sunday night, July 6, and visited him on Monday morning, July 7.
Shettima was reported to have also visited former head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was equally hospitalised in the UK, during the same trip, which his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, said was a private visit.
On Monday last week, there were apprehensions over the state of Buhari’s health following speculation that it might have deteriorated in the course of 24 hours after he came out of intensive care.
By Shehu told Daily Trust on Tuesday, July 8, that information available to him was that his boss was recovering.”
Recall that while in office, Buhari’s health, and indeed status, was a subject of controversy, with his history of medical checkups outside the country.
After assuming office in May 2015, the late president spent 104 days outside the country in 2017 due to an undisclosed ailment and made other trips for further medical check-up in London in 2018 and 2020, often shrouded in secrecy.
The most significant and controversial of Buhari’s medical absences began in January 2017, when he left Nigeria for what was described as a “medical vacation” and remained in London for 50 days without handing over to his vice, Yemi Osinbajo, and only returned in March that year.
Buhari is figured to have spent over 230 days abroad for medical reasons during his presidency, with the financial cost of the trips, particularly the operation and maintenance of the presidential jet, estimated to range between ₦1.1 billion and ₦5.4billion, excluding cost of medical care, accommodation and the accompanying delegation.
In response to inquiries following his recent absence from the public, Shehu stated: “Following your inquiry, I wish to state as follows: It is true that the former President is unwell. He has been receiving treatment in the UK.
“You would recall he made it known that he was going for his annual medical check-up. He became ill there, but I am happy to announce to you that he is doing well in his recovery while receiving treatment. We pray for his healthy recovery.”
However, a former aide, Bashir Ahmad, dismissed reports of his former boss being critically ill and fighting for his life in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Ahmad, in a post on X, insisted the reports were exaggerated and misleading, adding: “In light of the recent media reports suggesting that Buhari is critically ill and has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), we find it necessary to set the record straight.”
While admitting that Buhari was unwell and receiving medical care, he reiterated that the situation was far from what some reports have portrayed, noting: “It is true that Buhari is unwell and is currently receiving medical attention.
“However, contrary to the exaggerated claims circulating in the media, he is stable and responding well to treatment and we are optimistic about his full recovery.
“We appreciate the outpouring of prayers and goodwill from his supporters and well-wishers around the world. We continue to pray for his complete and speedy recovery.”
Buhari had retired to his hometown, Daura, in Katsina State, and Kaduna, immediately after his tenure in 2023, living a private and low-profile life, with occasional travels abroad for routine medical check-up.
On his part, Abubakar, 83, was said to have been hospitalised in the UK for months now, but recuperating.
